October 3 - Matthew 2; Luke 2:39-52: Jesus' Childhood

Today’s Reading: Matthew 2; Luke 2:39-52

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Non-Chosen People celebrated Jesus' birth.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Scholars from the East asked Herod where the "King of the Jews" lived. They paid homage and gave gifts to Him.
God's angel told Joseph to seek refuge in Egypt, fulfilling prophecy.
Herod slaughtered the infants in Bethlehem, the prophesied place of the Messiah's birth, in order to kill his rival. This fulfilled prophecy.
When Herod died, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus resettled in Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy.
The family travelled to Jerusalem for Passover. Twelve years-old, Jesus stayed behind in the Temple to deal with His Father's things. His parents frantically searched.
Jesus matured physically and spiritually, with God and people.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Non-Chosen People are entering the sphere of God's Influence.

The band of scholars from the East were not Jews. They were not Chosen People. Malachi told Israel there were many people outside their ethnic group that wanted to worship Him. Now we have an example of people doing such. Isaiah prophesied that God would open His Temple to outsiders. Another major theme in the New Testament is this opening of God's Direct Influence on non-Chosen People and their eventual invitation to join God's Chosen People.

Herod commits infanticide because of his misguided jealousy.

Herod could not believe this newborn could be the next King of the Jews. He would not have anyone challenge his power; therefore, he murdered all of the children under two in Bethlehem to maintain his position. The irony of the story is that Jesus' Kingdom was not a worldly kingdom. He was not Herod's rival after all. Beware a love of power. It can lead you to commit horrible acts which may not help you in the end.

Jesus grew up obedient to His parents.

Jesus was God in human form but he submitted to His parents. He grew physically, spiritually, and socially mature and was blessed by people and God. What a contrast between Jesus and Herod—Jesus was the Son of God but lived obedient to his earthly parents. Herod was the son of earthly parents but would not be obedient to God.

Are you jealous of people who are not your rivals?

October 2 - Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38: Jesus is Born to Praise from Shepherds

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God has moved into the neighborhood.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

There were 42 generations between Abraham and Jesus.
An angel told Joseph that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and her son would save Israel from their sins—fulfilling the virgin-birth prophecy. Joseph believed the angel.
Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger, since there was no room for them in hotels. Nearby shepherds heard angels praising God and came to see the baby.
Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to offer the sacrifice to redeem the firstborn son. Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, praised God for letting them see the Messiah.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God moved into the neighborhood.

(Repeat of yesterday's comment) God was in the Garden at the beginning. When God came to Israel in the wilderness they asked that He use Moses as an intermediary. The intermediary way of communicating with Israel lasted over a thousand years. With Jesus, God not only interacted with His Chosen People face-to-face again, He came in human form and lived among them to set His relationship with Israel right. He also came to make us what we should be—"God-begotten" (John 1:13, The Message). This means Jesus came to help us understand we are much greater than the son or daughter of humans. By submitting to Him we become our true selves—children of God. God came to Earth in human form to set our relationship right and make us what we should be—Children of God.

Joseph had faith that God would set things right.

Joseph was a good man, not willing to make a spectacle of his fiancé's infidelity. When God's angel spoke to him in a dream, Joseph had to trust that God would bring Jesus safely into the world and keep them safe from any zealot that wanted to make them an example. Because of his faith, Mary and Jesus lived secure lives. When God's Chosen Men have full faith in God, God can set things right for their family.

The shepherds told everyone they met what they saw.

This is the first example that will become a theme in the New Testament. When God's Chosen People tell others what they have seen God doing, others will praise God, too.

Matthew's purpose is to show how the Old Testament proves Jesus' authenticity and contrasts the Scriptures to the Jews' expectations of the Messiah.

You will see some form of the phrase "this fulfilled prophecy" many, many times in this Gospel. Matthew wanted the Jews to understand how Jesus fits the description of the Messiah the prophets wanted Israel to wait for. The Jews, on the other hand, were expecting a much different Messiah. Matthew is showing how their view is a misreading of the Prophets. Jesus' authenticity was founded on more than His teachings and miracles. His authenticity included everything Israel considered sacred.

Remember Simeon's words.

Simeon's words are prophetic:

God, you can now release your servant;
   release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
   it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
   and of glory for your people Israel.
…
This child marks both the failure and
   the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
   the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty,
   as God reveals who they really are. (Luke 2:29-32, 34-35, The Message)

I would love to write on each one of these here, but they will be written about as we go through the rest of the New Testament.

Do you want God to reveal who you really are?

October 1 - Luke 1; John 1:1-14: God Sends a Messenger to Prepare His Chosen People for the Light

Today’s Reading: Luke 1; John 1:1-14

The Message

English Standard Version

We made it to the New Testament!
The Gospels chronicle the same time period, so we will read all four books concurrently. We will not read them in strict chronological order but by story content (for example, Jesus' teachings on the Sabbath will push Matthew 12:1-21 out of order but will keep it with other passages on the Sabbath). If this sounds confusing, use the links above to read each day's section in your browser.
Blessings on your reading!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Zechariah doubted God's angel but praised God when John was born.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

The Word was God. The Word created everything.
Luke used first-hand reports to legitimize the teachings.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were barren. An angel said they would have a son named John—a revivalist preparing Israel for God. Skeptical, Zechariah was struck mute.
Gabriel told Mary, David's descendant, that she, a virgin, would carry the Son of God, the eternal ruler of Jacob's house.
Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah praised God for their good fortune.
John showed everyone how to find the Light. The Light moved into the neighborhood but His neighbors rejected Him because He was too much like the Father.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God moved into the neighborhood.

God was in the Garden at the beginning. When God came to Israel in the wilderness they asked that He use Moses as an intermediary. God not only came back to Earth, He came in human form and lived among His Chosen People. God wanted to set His relationship with Israel right, so He came to live with them. He also came to make us what we should be—"God-begotten" (John 1:13, The Message). This means Jesus came to help us understand we are much greater than the son or daughter of humans. By submitting to Him we become our true selves—children of God. God came to Earth in human form to set our relationship right and make us what we should be—Children of God.

John's purpose was to show the way to Jesus—the Light made flesh.

John was the fulfillment of what we read yesterday. He came with two purposes: call Israel to God and show them where to find Jesus. He would turn many people back to God and prepare them to meet Jesus. God provides His Chosen People messengers to show the way to Him.

Luke's purpose in writing his Gospel was to confirm what was taught.

Luke, a doctor, wanted to give assurance to the new Christians who believed in Jesus as the Word made flesh but were unsure if what was being said about Him was true. Luke wrote to dispel doubt and clear up the matter for everyone by using what would be considered court-approved evidence—word of mouth.

Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah understood how awesome God was to them.

I love Elizabeth's welcome of Mary, Mary's praise for carrying the Son of God, and Zechariah's praise when John was born. They all knew God had been good to them and His Chosen People and praised Him for it. Praise God because He is awesome!

Do you know how awesome God is to you?